The Attic Thrift Store in South Lake Tahoe to close as Barton Health shifts focus

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The popular Attic Thrift Store in South Lake Tahoe will be closing in June. Barton Health, the owner of the store, said they will soon have the property up for sale and will be refocusing its structure to better meet the needs of the community.

The Barton Auxiliary opened the thrift store in 1961, and since has raised millions of dollars to support South Lake Tahoe and the hospital through grants, scholarships, equipment, and at the beginning, paying the doctors.

The Attic will be moving closer to the healthcare campus at the Y and shifting from retail sales to food and clothing distribution. In this new focus, volunteers will participate in distributing goods at no cost to residents in need. This new location puts those services closer to patient services.

“A new approach for The Attic ensures we are addressing our population's most pressing health needs so community members can have the best chance at a healthy life,” said Chris Proctor, director of community benefit at Barton Health. “Social determinants of health — the non-medical health measures that greatly influence our health such as food, clothing, and housing — must be fulfilled before community members can consider the next steps of managing their medical health. By honing in on this need, we are working toward greater health equity.”

The Barton Auxiliary will again share oversight of this next venture, fulfilling its mission to support the health and wellness of community members.

“We are excited to contribute toward a greater purpose, and while the common greatest need may have evolved, the origin remains: volunteers making a difference,” said Larry Coffman, Barton Auxiliary President.

Proceeds of the sale of The Attic Thrift Store building at 970 Lodi Avenue will be reinvested into Barton’s California campus to help fund a planned expansion of Barton’s Community Health Center.

“We are deeply grateful to the many volunteers and community members who have interacted with The Attic over the years and donated items in support of the livelihood of our community,” said Proctor. “As this retail door closes, another opens, and we look forward to supporting the community for many more years through this new initiative.”

Last year, Barton Health was considering taking on operations of Christmas Cheer as the nonprofit located near the hospital needed assistance to meet the needs of the community.

Residents are encouraged to donate their gently used goods and clothing to other area thrift stores as The Attic is no longer accepting donations.

Additional information including plans for the final sale of goods as well as future targeted donation initiatives supporting the distribution program will follow.